Abstract
Species of Tranzscheliella have been reported as pathogens of more than 30 genera of grasses (Poaceae). In this study, a combined morphological and molecular phylogenetic approach was used to examine 33 specimens provisionally identified as belonging to the T. hypodytes species complex. The phylogenetic analysis resolved several well-supported clades that corresponded to known and novel species of Tranzscheliella. Four new species are described and illustrated. In addition, a new combination in Tranzscheliella is proposed for Sorosporium reverdattoanum. Cophylogenetic analyses assessed by distance-based and event-cost based methods, indicated host switches are likely the prominent force driving speciation in Tranzscheliella.
Highlights
The genus Tranzscheliella (Ustilaginales) contains 17 species, which systematically infect the culms and inflorescences of about 33 genera of grasses (Poaceae) widely distributed around the world[1,2]
The sequences of the combined internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the rRNA gene and the large subunit (LSU) rRNA gene were aligned separately with gaps treated as missing characters
The evolutionary relationships of these sequences were analysed by maximum likelihood (ML) analyses and Bayesian
Summary
The genus Tranzscheliella (Ustilaginales) contains 17 species, which systematically infect the culms and inflorescences of about 33 genera of grasses (Poaceae) widely distributed around the world[1,2]. Smut fungi are often host specific and host range is an important criterion for recognition of genera and species[6,10], often supporting phylogenetic and biological studies[11,12,13,14]. With more available data and improved tools for cophylogenetic analyses, host switches rather than cospeciation, has become currently the most likely explanation for the diversification of many parasites, including fungal pathogens[17,18]. Host-shift speciation rather than cospeciation explained the cophylogenetic patterns of the smut fungus genus Anthracoidea found on species of the genus Carex (Cyperaceae)[19]. The aim of this study was to identify specimens that had been provisionally identified as Tranzscheliella hypodytes, mostly from China, using a combined morphological and molecular phylogenetic approach. Cophylogenetic analyses were used to determine the most likely explanation for speciation in Tranzscheliella
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